Chinese medical student saves life on U.S. flight

Updated 2018-02-08 15:46:11

Zhao Min, 28, helps an old passenger who suffers a sudden angina attack on a flight from San Francesco to Honolulu, Jan. 10, 2018.

A Chinese medical student, along with four other U.S. medical personnel, successfully saved the life of an old passenger who suffered a sudden angina attack on a flight from San Francesco to Honolulu by performing a treatment that lasted an hour and a half.

28-year-old Zhao Min is a female international student from east China's Shandong Province. She majored in nursing at Flinders University and began working in Australian medical institutions once she received her license.

On Jan. 10, Zhao went on holiday to the U.S., and was sat on a flight from San Francisco to Honolulu when, after three hours, the plane's radio suddenly announced that an elderly American passenger had suffered a sudden angina attack and was looking for medical help.

At first, Zhao wasn't sure if her Australia nurse license would allow her to help this old man. But she finally made the decision to help. When she went to the old man, two American doctors and two nursing interns also rushed to help.

"After examining the patient's pulse, we found that his blood pressure and pulse were slow, and the patient was vomiting and his heart was uncomfortable," Zhao said.

All five agreed to let the patient lie down and take aspirin, and after about 20 minutes, the situation improved.

After discussing with it together, they decided the patient needed a saline injection. Zhao cleverly used a clothes hanger as an infusion bottle in the cabin and injected the patient. This completely stabilized his condition, which lasted until the plane landed.

All the passengers witnessed Zhao's efforts during the rescue. When Zhao Min returned to her seat, people smiled and applauded. The captain also specifically expressed his thanks to Zhao and the other rescuers.

"The moment that all the passengers in the cabin applauded for us, as the only Chinese passenger on the flight, I would like to tell everyone 'I am a Chinese' and willing to bring more warmth to those around me," Zhao said.